Indian Princess Mansee Sangani talks to The Foundations TV

Transcribed by Divya Mendiratta

Gauri : Welcome to Foundations TV everybody. Our guest today is Mansee Sangani, who has recently won the title of Indian Princess USA 2014, at the Jewel of India event, in Atlantic City. Many Congratulations.

Mansee : Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Gauri : Absolutely. It’s a pleasure to have you at Foundations TV. And she is here to share her journey with us. So before we actually go to a flash back of knowing, where you were born and brought up. I just want to hear that moment out from you. How was it to win this title?

Mansee : It was great, it was actually amazing. It really didn’t hit me that I had won, up until two days after it had already happened. On Sunday 19^th, on stage having your name called out, having the crown placed on your head, it was amazing. Memorable.

Gauri : That is really exciting. Is that something you had dreamed of, being a model, since the beginning? Or is it something just happened accidently for you?

Mansee : I would say it’s something that just accidently happened. It’s not something I had ever dreamed of. I guess I just kept myself very open to all the opportunities that were presented to me. I went with the flow.

Gauri : Wonderful. So I know Mansee has a full time job, and she is also doing post-graduation . So she is studying hard, she is taking two courses at this time; and doing the modelling. So I want to know, which was your first modeling experience? When was it the first time you went on the ramp?

Mansee : My first modelling experience was for a bridal show; in New England actually. This was in 2011. And it was absolutely amazing, at that time I didn’t even know how to put make up on myself. And then from doing that, to going to a show where you have people doing your make up, doing your hair, helping you put your clothes on. And then when you walk the ramp, you look glamorous. It was amazing, it was awesome.

Gauri : Lovely. So now tell us something about your background. Where were you born and brought up? And how did you end up in US?

Mansee :  I was born in India. My family and I were there for about 8 ½ years. After that my parents decided to move to New Zealand, so I practically grew up over there. We were in New Zealand for almost 8 years. And then we moved here. So we’ve been here in Boston for past 6 years now.

Gauri : Wonderful. So you did go to college here?

Mansee : Yes.

Gauri : Great. So all these years you have lived in three different countries, and you are doing three different things in your life. I want to know, who inspires you, who is your inspiration?

Mansee : It’s not one person, I would have to say two people, my mom and dad. From the moment that they wake up, to the moment that they go to sleep, all I see is them working. Whether something is at home, or whether is something outside, they are always working. When you look at such people, when you are around people who are constantly doing that, you look at yourself and you realize your parents are much older than you are, they are doing lot more work, you have no right to sit around and not do anything. They’ve always been not only inspirational, but also they’ve always been my motivation.

Gauri : So have they been supportive about this modelling experience of yours?

Mansee: They have. They have been extremely supportive. Whether it was modelling whether it was pageants, everything.

Gauri : Wonderful. What about challenges though, have you felt any challenges on this road to being Indian Princess USA?

Mansee : Yes, definitely

Gauri : Would you like to share some?

Mansee : Absolutely. This is actually not my first time competing for a title, I had competed last year. I made top 10, and then didn’t make it after that. That was a challenge, but I feel like it was more of a learning experience for me. So I waited, I tried it again, and here I am.

Gauri : So what is that you think made that difference in that one year? From last year to this year, what is that you grew into, or what quality of yours that you developed which helped you win this title?

Mansee : First of all, the pageant itself was a very big learning process in terms of everything. Then going from there, coming back home, trying different projects, different events. You are trying events that are at different level. You are constantly trying to succeed at them. So I think it makes you get better at what you are doing, if not perfect.

Gauri : That’s a great answer. So it not really one goal you are striving for, it’s always trying to improve yourself from where you were. It’s like a journey, a little competition with yourself. And trying to get better each time at whatever you are doing. And that kind of builds that quality that virtue within you for being successful. Is that what you think?

Mansee : Yes. And I think that’s important, because if you’re a doing one thing, that will get boring at some point. You want to try different things. And not just for the sake of trying it but you want to give it your best. If you fail, you want to get up and you want to try again and you want to keep trying.

Gauri : And that’s an experience too. Being resilient.

Mansee : Yaa.

Gauri : So where are you headed from here Mansee?

Mansee : Right now I’m actually completing my masters. So hopefully I will be done in another year. Because I won this title I get the opportunity to go to Thailand. So there’s an International pageant, called Indian Princess International. So I’m excited.

Gauri : Lovely. So when is it that pageant?

Mansee : It’s not actually until January.

Gauri : So you have time to finish up your education, or whatever courses you are trying to finish up before that.

Mansee : I have time to get around to United States now. Before I was limited just to New England. But now with a bigger title I can get around a lot more.

Gauri : So you have any tips for upcoming models, aspiring models, who want to look like you, feel like you, be like you.

Mansee : For sure. I feel like, when I started I was an amateur. I’m not perfect even now. I guess the only tip that I can really give to the people is that, try every opportunity, try everything that comes your way. For me, like I said I was open minded about it. If I had the time to do something I did it. I didn’t think twice. At the end of the day it’s really the experience, and it’s the experience is what makes perfect.

Gauri : I see you are involved in a lot with community events as well, and you are out there helping people for the events and causes. That really builds your confidence as well. That’s great. Thank you so much for sharing your journey today with us.

Mansee : Not a Problem. Thank you for having me.

Gauri : Absolutely a pleasure. And all the best for your pageant in January. And for all the other experiences you’re going to get between now and then.

Mansee: Thank you.